| Jon Stewart / India.Arie | |
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In my opinion, Jon Stewart is one of the very funniest people out there. I was super psyched when I found out that he'd be hosting the show, because I just knew he'd do an excellent job. Hopefully I wouldn't be proved wrong...that sure would make me look like a moron!
[ COLD OPENING ] Dick Cheney
Darrell Hammond got a lengthy ovation and it was well deserved. I was surprised to see him back at work so quickly! This was one of the funniest openings of the season. His commentary was just hilarious and completely off topic. I loved his comments on Craig Kilborn...I can't stand the man and I guess I'm not alone! Anyway, this was very well done and a terrific way to start off this episode.
RATING : 9.5/10
[ MONOLOGUE ] Jon Stewart
One nice thing about having a comedian host is that, chances are, they'll actually be FUNNY in their monologue! And, Jon Stewart's little standup routine was excellent. His comments about the boy scouts were pretty damn funny, but most of his material was equally as good. I was very impressed by this monologue!
RATING : 9/10
[ COMMERCIAL ] The Cheese Game
This was a very interesting idea, but I really didn't find it all that funny. Sure, it was ridiculous, and that adds some amount of humor, but I feel that this really didn't live up to the idea's potential. Maybe it's just me.
RATING : 5/10
[ SKETCH ] TRL : Genetically Engineered Boy-Band
At first I was dreading another Gemini's Twin sketch, but was very relieved to see Jon walk on as a different character. I must admit this sketch had some very good comedy in it. I liked how the members of the band got progressively more ridiculous...from normal, to having a name with 4 D's, to being allergic to light, to having gills and lobster claws, and finally to having buttocks where your head should be. I loved Assface's little introduction when he walks on all cool, and then he points casually at the camera and continues walking. Classic! It's been awhile since a genuinely funny sketch has leaded off the show, and I was quite pleased to see one.
RATING : 8.5/10
[ SKETCH ] Bloater Brothers
Oh god why is this sketch HERE? Normally these are at the very END of the show, and even then it's painful to sit through! I can't remember anything funny about this sketch except the disappointed "hey-oo!" after they realized they were getting a cavity search. I'm extremely disappointed at the show's turn of events now. They better have something good to make up for this...
RATING : 4/10
[ CARTOON ] Fun With Real Audio : Colin Powell
I can see how people might not like this sense of humor, but I found it very clever and extremely humorous. I don't know what else to say about it, other than it was a little more socially acceptable than most of Smigel's other material.
RATING : 8/10
[ SKETCH ] Talkin' to the Stars with Rachel and Tracy
Now, I can see this becoming a recurring sketch, and all power to it, because it was one of the best original sketches I've seen in awhile! Tracy's character was great, along with Rachel's comments, including this gem, "I find if Tracy says a word I don't know, it usually means high". I enjoyed this sketch immensely, and I'm looking forward to seeing another one before the season's out!
RATING : 9/10
[ SKETCH ] Newscasters Party
This sketch was nonstop jokes! I was so impressed by all the impressions in this sketch, it was very entertaining. Seth's Stone Phillips wasn't as good as Rob Lowe's last year, but his dialogue was funnier. I loved Tracy's Starr Jones too, "I said MY casserole!!". Not only was this sketch good before, but now we're going to see the long awaited, world famous, Jeff Richards' Letterman impression! I watch Dave on a regular basis (Leno bugs me), and I can say that this impression was dead on. I have an all new respect for Jeff Richards now, and I believe that he's completely earned his spot in the cast now. I believe that this was the best sketch of the year.
RATING : 10/10
[ WEEKEND UPDATE ] With Jimmy Fallon & Tina Fey
This update had some great jokes in it! I especially liked the Anna Nicole Smith one, the sofa-bed one, and the Stevie Wonder one. When Jon came on and got ready to tell a joke, I got all excited and prepared for the best joke ever, and when they made him leave, I was genuinely angry. But I got over it pretty quickly as Drunk Girl came on. I liked this commentary much better than the last time Drunk Girl was on, and maybe this is because of my newfound respect for Jeff Richards. Overall, an above average Update.
RATING : 9.5/10
[ MUSIC ] India.Arie
I was gonna watch, but then I realized that I should go make sure all my clocks were working, so I missed it. Darn...
[ SKETCH ] BET's Jazzvisions
The only thing that was funny about this sketch was Tracy's line when he said, "Just like genitals!". Other than that, this sketch was severely lacking comedic value.
RATING : 4/10
[ SKETCH ] We Were Soldiers that Knew What Women Want
This was a good idea, and unlike the Cheese Game, it was brought forward very well. I enjoyed this a lot, and I'm still surprised this wasn't earlier in the show. Funny!
RATING : 8/10
[ MUSIC ] India.Arie
Well I'm sure this was good if you like that sort of thing, but I don't, so I didn't like it. So sue me.
[ NOVEL ] My Big Thick Novel By Jack Handey
"...Or I could go back to the party and tell the joke right this time." Funny! This was a better-than-average Handey segment!
RATING : 4/5*
* - not counted towards episode's final rating
[ OVERALL RATING ] 77 / 100
[ BEST SKETCH ] Newscasters Party ( 10 )
[ BEST QUOTE ] "I was just in the basement...doing laundry...and what you don't know about our dryer...could KILL you." - Seth Meyers as Stone Phillips
[ POINTS OF INTEREST ] Will missed tonight's episode to work on a movie.
I was NOT disappointed with this episode at all! In fact, I was very pleased! This proves that having a funny host can really make the difference. Now we've got another live show before a two week break.